New Mexico
$300M needed for New Mexico land conservation; Supporters argue for funding in budget bill
A $300 million state appropriation for land conservation across New Mexico was included in the House’s budget bill passed by the chamber and being considered by the Senate in the final days of the 2024 Legislative Session.
The money, included in House Bill 2, would send the funds to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund create via legislation in last year’s session.
The Legacy Fund operates in two ways: the Expandable Fund will dole out $12.5 million a year to existing state conservation programs beginning in July and a Conservation Permanent Legacy Fund would invest the dollars at the behest of the State Investment Council.
More: ‘Fundamental disagreement’ puts GOP and ‘bureaucrats’ in Santa Fe at odds for conservation
Both received an initial $50 million appropriation when they were established and the $300 million for Fiscal Year 2025 would go to the investment fund, meaning it could be transferred to the expendable fund for future projects as needed.
Supporters estimated the resulting $350 million balance would sustain current funding levels for 10 agency conservation programs until FY 2031 and would double the dollars available to the expendable fund.
They also said the money would provide matching funds for federal grants needed for work throughout the state.
More: Record $2.75 billion in New Mexico revenue driven by oil and gas industry
“We have continued to try to bring federal dollars to New Mexico to put things on the ground for farmers and ranchers,” said Debbie Hughes, executive director the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts. “We desperately need a state fund to help match this. We could get a lot more federal dollars.”
She said using matching funds required by the federal Farm Bill passed by Congress in 2014 and signed into law by former-President Barrack Obama, New Mexico was able to bring $52 million that was matched by $102 million in federal matching funds.
She said the Legacy Fund would strengthen those efforts to gain funding for projects to improve New Mexico’s water supplies, soil health and wildlife areas.
More: $175 million in oil and gas assets bought by Permian Resources
The money can also be used to improve facilities like dams owned by municipalities, conduct wildlife surveys and address invasive species like mesquite which impact native grasslands.
Hughes said the added funding will help the state work with landowners when their acreage is needed for conservation projects but was unlikely to involve any “large-scale” land acquisitions.
“These agencies can do it now. You can’t really blame it on the legacy fund. We haven’t seen them going after large-scale swaths of land. This is to improve natural resources,” she said. “It definitely will help farmers and ranchers. The work has to be done on somebody’s land, and in most cases it’s a farmer or rancher. All of these programs will benefit agriculture.”
More: $11B wind power project is being built in southern New Mexico
Concerns were voiced by Republican lawmakers worried more funding and government authority on conservation could lead to the state exerting control over private landowners.
That took the form of a series of bills sponsored by New Mexico Sen. Steven McCutcheon (R-42) during the ongoing session, removing authorities of various state agencies to acquire lands for conservation.
“No bureaucrat will ever understand how to better use the land than those whose legacy is dedicated to managing it,” McCutcheon said in a statement backing his legislation.
But Gillian Joyce, government relations advocate at the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union which supported the fund, countered that the State is legally barred from buying and lands at more than appraised value, meaning it was likely priced out of large land acquisitions.
More: Lawmakers hope to block oil wells near homes, schools via New Mexico Senate memorial
The small purchases the state could afford, she said, would not significantly impact the agricultural industry.
“If you get tiny acquisitions that the state could afford, it’s not going to take enough land out of the agricultural tax base. There’s just not enough funds to do that,” Joyce said. “The state can’t out compete people on the private market. This isn’t precluding these lands from getting purchased by private producers.”
Joyce argued the dollars would instead go to specific, existing conservation projects and agencies in New Mexico, used to maintain natural resources in the state.
More: Lawmakers look to send more state funds to clean up New Mexico’s abandoned oil wells
“This is a great opportunity to respond to issues across our state,” she said. “Land stewardship and water stewardship require years and years of planning. Many of the programs across our state are not able to take that long, broad approach.
“We’ll know we have consistent funding for conservation across our state.”
That work could become more important amid worsening aridification of the state, and the impacts of perilous drought conditions around New Mexico, said Lesli Allison chief executive officer at the Western Landowners Alliance.
More: Feds plan prescribed burns in southeast New Mexico as wildfire season gets underway
“We’re dealing with long-term drought in New Mexico. You can really see the impacts hitting New Mexico more than any other state. “We need very much to investment in our forests, take care of our rangelands. These are large-scale projects. None of this is anything a landowner can take care of on their own.”
Federal conservation dollars were also available in the recently passed Inflation Reduction and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs acts, and could be matched, Allison said, using some of New Mexico’s recent budget surplus brought on by surging oil and gas revenue.
But that surplus could be temporary, she said, arguing this session was the time to make the investment.
“We have the opportunity in our budget with our surplus to make this investment happen,” Allison said. “We might not get this opportunity again. We don’t know how long that surplus would last.”
Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.
New Mexico
Ruidoso’s Water Park Ready to Kick Off Summer with a Splash
Good news for those looking to beat the heat this summer, a unique floating water park is just a short drive away in Ruidoso, New Mexico!
Ruidoso is already among the favorite nearby spots for El Pasoans to cool off from the desert heat, but did you know it is also home to this unique water attraction?
The Ruidoso Parks and Recreation department just announced that Wibit will make a return his summer to Grindstone Lake! And the update they shared will have you thinking of spending your entire summer there!
Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake is an inflatable platform made up of giant slides, towers, trampolines, ramps, and wiggle bridges. Adventurous kids of all ages can bounce, slide, climb, jump and splash in the water.
Wibit Water Parks are typically found in tourist destinations, public beaches, resorts, and aquatic centers, offering a fun and interactive experience for visitors of all ages. They are designed to be safe, with rigorous safety standards and supervision often provided by trained lifeguards.
Ruidoso is situated in the south-central part of New Mexico, nestled in the Lincoln National Forest. The area is characterized by its alpine environment, with lush forests, clear streams, and impressive mountain views. The elevation ranges from 6,920 feet in the village to over 12,000 feet at the peak of Sierra Blanca, which provides a cool climate and ample opportunities for outdoor activities. You can get more info, and find out about more summer activities in Ruidoso, here.
10 Tourist Traps to Avoid in New Mexico
Are you visiting New Mexico for the first time or simply exploring the state you call home? Either way, you probably will want to avoid thee tourist traps:
10 of the Most Haunted Locations to Check Out in New Mexico
Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus
New Mexico
Stay Safe: Don't Breathe Too Deeply in These Cities in Texas, New Mexico, & Arizona
It doesn’t matter if you travel to Texas, New Mexico OR Arizona, all 3 states have problems with air pollution. Some cities have more issues than others, but which ones are the worst when it comes to air pollution? Well, we know exactly which ones to be extra careful when outside.
Which cities have the highest amount of air pollution in Texas, New Mexico & Arizona?
In a recent study by the American Lung Association (ALA), they went to over 200 different cities in the entire United States. Each city was ranked based on the average of days with high ozone, how many particles of pollution were in the air for a single day & all year round.
They found that while 1 city from Arizona made their rankings, Phoenix ranked high in ALL 3 lists. There were 2 major cities from New Mexico & a whopping 5 cities from Texas found on their ozone list; one actually made 2 lists of theirs (that honor goes to Houston).
Granted they weren’t THE worst cities according to the ALA; those honors all go to various cities in California like Bakersfield & Los Angeles. But it IS clear that if you live or travel in Texas, New Mexico or Arizona, you’ll want to be extra careful because the air can be quite tainted with pollution.
If you want to see which cities ranked amongst the worst, we did the research for you so you can find out which ones made the cut. I’m hoping some of these cities WON’T
LOOK: Texas, New Mexico & Arizona Cities With the Worst Air Pollution
Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus
The Top Causes of Death in New Mexico
Death isn’t something most people want to ponder over for long periods of time. Regardless, it is something that will happen to everyone one day. These are the top 10 causes of death in New Mexico.
Gallery Credit: Maleri McHam
9 Creepy Bugs Found in Arizona
There are over 900 insects that call Arizona home. With that many, there are bound to be some creepy ones. Check out these 9 bugs that might just give you nightmares.
New Mexico
Federal agency takes control of fiery train derailment investigation near Arizona-New Mexico border
MANUELITO, N.M. (AP/AZFamily) — The Federal Railroad Administration is now leading the investigation of last month’s fiery train derailment near the Arizona-New Mexico border.
National Transportation Safety Board officials said Thursday that the FRA will determine the probable cause of the April 26 derailment.
NTSB investigators have examined the track and derailed tank cars and will focus on the performance of the tank cars and emergency response actions.
The derailment of an BNSF Railway freight train forced a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 40 to close and led to two days of precautionary evacuations for 52 Manuelito residents who lived within a two-mile radius of the derailment site.
No injuries were reported, McKinley County officials said.
The train had left Belen, New Mexico, and was headed to Phoenix and was traveling about 53 mph at the time of the derailment, well below the maximum authorized speed of 70 mph near the derailment site, NTSB investigators said.
Of the 35 cars that derailed, six tank cars were carrying non-odorous propane, the NTSB said.
Four of the six tank cars were breached and released their contents, which ignited, investigators said. New Mexico State Police Lt. Phil Vargas said some rail cars caught fire and burned for hours after the derailment.
Initial passersby posted video and photos on social media of crumpled train cars and billowing, black smoke.
A fifth tank car carrying propane — a type of liquefied petroleum gas — was exposed to the flames and released vapor through its pressure relief device, investigators said.
Each derailed tank car was carrying about 30,000 gallons of liquefied petroleum gas, according to investigators.
The derailment also led Amtrak to cancel some passenger travel, including on the route between Los Angeles and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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